Calculation of the Huang-Rhys parameter in spherical quantum dots: The optical deformation potential effect

An accurate calculation of the exciton-phonon interaction matrix elements and Huang-Rhys parameter for nearly spherical nanocrystals (NCs) of polar semiconductor materials is presented. The theoretical approach is based on a continuum lattice dynamics model and the effective mass approximation for electronic states in the NCs. A strong confinement regime is considered for both excitons and optical phonons, taking into account both the Fröhlich-type and optical deformation potential (ODP) mechanisms of the exciton-phonon interaction. The effects of exchange electron-hole interaction and possible hexagonal crystal structure of the underlying material are also taken into account. The theory is applied to CdSe and InP quantum dots. It is shown that the ODP mechanism, almost unimportant for CdSe, dominates the exciton-phonon coupling in small InP dots. The effect of the non-diagonal interaction, not included in the Huang-Rhys parameter, is briefly discussed. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.